The 15 Most Exciting Things to do in Prague

I love Prague – and, living in Austria, I’ve visited the city a bunch of times. That’s why I’ve compiled this guide to the 15 best things to do in Prague.

Though it’s become a more popular destination in recent years, it’s still less crowded than many other European capitals. And because of its location, it’s a perfect spot to add to your Europe trip for a unique atmosphere – it’s only 4 hours from Vienna.

1. See the Astronomical Clock

The Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Square is probably the most famous attraction in Prague – in fact, it’s one of the most famous clocks in the world. It is in the Old Town Hall Tower and is, in my opinion, a really unique-looking clock.

One of the must-see things when visiting Prague is the ‘Walk of the Apostles’, which takes place every full hour. At this time, large crowds of people gather on the Old Town Square to watch the 12 animated figures – representing the 12 apostles – moving out of the clock.

Of course, seeing the clock is free, as it’s located on a public square. But if you want to explore the tower itself, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee.

2. See Prague from Above

Prague is known for its red rooftops and is most beautiful from above. There are lots of spots you can check out for sunset views and to admire the skyline.

If you want a spot that’s away from all the crowds, go to Petřín Hill, a green spot in the middle of Prague. There’s a funicular that goes up the hill, but you can also climb it. Here, you can climb the Petřín Lookout Tower – Prague’s ‘mini Eiffel Tower’ – for great city views.

If you’re visiting Prague Castle, make sure to stop by the South Gardens. It is the perfect spot to visit at golden hour with stunning views of the river and the Old Town.

From the Old Town Hall Tower, you can get wonderful views of the Astronomical Clock and the Gothic skyline of Prague. You can take the elevator or climb up the stairs from Old Town Square.

For a less touristy spot, enjoy a sunset drink at Letná Beer Garden in Letná Park. Many locals hang out in this park. Alternatively, check out Vítkov Hill.

3. Cross Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge is one of Prague’s most iconic sights. The Gothic bridge connects the Old Town with Malá Strana, from where you can reach Prague Castle.

The bridge is lined with 30 statues of historic figures and saints. The most famous statue is that of St. John of Nepomuk – it is believed that you will have good luck if you touch it.

On Charles Bridge, there are always street performers, local vendors, and artists that make it a spot to visit instead of just a simple bridge to cross.

Because it’s such a popular sight, I’d recommend visiting early in the morning to avoid massive crowds. From there, continue to Prague Castle and explore it for the day.

4. See the Dancing House

The Dancing House is a weird-looking building you cannot miss on your trip to Prague. It’s also nicknamed ‘Fred and Ginger’, after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

It houses a small contemporary art gallery, which you can visit if you’re an art enthusiast. Otherwise, you can have a drink at the rooftop café and admire the gorgeous views of the whole city.

To get here, take tram 17 to the stop Jiráskovo námestí – you’ll find the building right across the street.

5. Visit the Christmas Market

Prague is known for having one of the most magical Christmas markets in Prague. That’s why I highly recommend visiting the Czech capital in December.

Though Prague only really has one Christmas market – on the Old Town Square – the whole city comes alive at this time of year.

The Gothic Tyn Church provides a stunning backdrop to the beautiful market, which surrounds a massive Christmas tree that is lit up at sunset every day.

Because the market is centrally located, you can easily reach many of Prague’s most beautiful spots from here.

6. Visit Prague Castle

One of the main sites you can’t miss on your trip to Prague is the stunning Prague Castle. The grounds are massive – you can easily spend the whole day here.

Here are all the spots you should visit on the Prague Castle grounds:

• St. Vitus Cathedral: A gorgeous medieval church with stained-glass windows and amazing views of the city.
• Old Royal Palace: Here you can visit the royal chambers and see the beautiful Vladislav Hall.
• St. George’s Basilica: A smaller, charming church that is generally not as crowded.
• Golden Lane: A row of small houses once inhabited by castle guards, goldsmiths, and Kafka.
• Castle Gardens: The beautiful gardens offer panoramic views of Prague.

Every hour, the Changing of the Guards takes place. The ceremony happens at noon every day.

Though some areas are free to enter (like the courtyards), you’ll need tickets to enter the cathedrals and the palace. You can buy tickets on the grounds or the website.

7. Spend a day in the Jewish Quarter

Although the Jewish Quarter, Josefov, is quite small, the history is rich and there is a ton to explore. It’s right in the Old Town, so it’s ideal for combining with other sights if you don’t have an entire day to spend here.

I was surprised to find the Jewish Quarter relatively empty (compared to the crowds in other areas of the city when I first visited) – but I found this to be one of the highlights of my trip.

Start your day at the Pinkas Synagogue. The walls of the synagogue are inscribed with the names of hundreds of Czech Holocaust victims. Here you’ll also be able to see the Old Jewish Cemetery – one of the oldest in Europe.

From there, walk to the Jewish Museum, where you’ll learn about Jewish history and culture, specifically in Bohemia and Moravia (the two main regions of the Czech Republic during WWII).

There are 3 more synagogues to explore from here:

• Klausen Synagogue & Ceremonial Hall: Highlights the religious customs and community life of the Jewish people.
• Spanish Synagogue: With a uniquely beautiful interior design, it has an exhibit on Jewish life during the 19th and 20th centuries. Outside the synagogue, you’ll also find a statue of the author Franz Kafka.
• Maisel Synagogue: In this synagogue you’ll find displays on Jewish history in Bohemia.

For tickets, check the website – the best option is the Prague Jewish Town ticket, which includes entry to 4 synagogues and the cemetery for 600 CZK (about 24€).

The last stop on your visit should be the Franz Kafka Monument and maybe even the Kafka Museum (check the website for tickets here).

8. Experience the Nightlife

Prague is well-known for its nightlife scene. So if you’re young and traveling with friends, enjoy a night out on the town.

When I visited with my friends, we went to Karlovy Lázně, which is a massive club – the biggest of its kind in central Europe. It consists of 5 floors, all playing different music, from Latin to old school pop. There’s even a silent disco, and the club regularly has events – check out the website. This club has an entry fee and unfortunately only accepts cash, so make sure you’re carrying some.

9. Eat a Chimney Cake

Trdelník, or chimney cake, is one of the must-try foods in Prague. Although it technically originates in Slovakia, it’s a beloved food in many ex-Austro-Hungarian countries, including Hungary and the Czech Republic.

You’ll see little stalls selling chimney cakes all over the city, as well as at the Christmas market. It’s a great treat to have while exploring the city while walking.

The pastry is made by wrapping a sweet dough around a metal road that is then baked over open coals. Though traditionally, it is rolled in cinnamon sugar or chopped nuts, you can find all kinds of variations – often filled with ice cream and Nutella or caramel.

10. Visit the Ice Bar

The ice bar in Prague is a unique and fun experience. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a bar where everything is made of ice.

And of course I know that this isn’t unique to Prague nor is it authentic to Czech culture, but it’s just a fun thing to add to your itinerary.

It’s a relatively small room, so entry is limited, and each person only gets 20 minutes inside. But, trust me, you won’t want to spend hours in here anyway because it’s so cold!

The Ice Pub is pretty popular, so I’d recommend booking tickets online (you’ll get a specific slot). Otherwise, they’ll give you a timeslot when you get there, but you’ll probably have to wait around.

The tickets include a thermal jacket and gloves, but bring your own jacket and dress warmly anyway. Each person also gets a drink that is served in an ice glass.

11. Visit the Butterfly House

If you’re looking to get away from the big touristy spots, the butterfly house is a great place to visit. It’s not particularly big, but it’s interesting to observe the colourful butterflies – and it’s a particularly great experience if you’re traveling with kids.

The butterfly house not only has many adult butterflies, but it also has a little enclosure with cocoons.

It’s also a very affordable activity (only 180 CZK/7€ for adults), and you even get a 10% discount when booking online.

Remember that the butterfly house has a tropical climate (warm and EXTREMELY humid). So dress appropriately.

If you’re using Google Maps to find it, don’t get confused like we did: it’s located on the second floor of the toy shop ‘The Playground’ – just go inside and follow the signs.

12. Visit the Beer Museum

Did you know that the Czech Republic is the country with the highest beer consumption per capita? So it’s no wonder that they take their beer VERY seriously.

If you’re a beer lover, you’ll be in heaven in Prague. Believe it or not, in some restaurants, beer is cheaper than water!

A great way to try some local beers, to learn more about their production and history, and even to bottle your own beer is to visit the beer museum.

I recommend buying tickets on the website ahead of time. Tickets cost 360 CZK (about 15€), which includes 3 beers.

13. Stroll through the Old Town

Prague’s Old Town is a very romantic, fairytale-esque area. Start your visit on the Old Town Square, where you can see the Astronomical Clock, the Church of Our Lady before Týn, and St. Nicholas Church.

From there, explore the charming side streets, where you’ll find quirky shops, cozy cafés, and artisanal bakeries. (Also a LOT of Trdelník stands!)

Consider visiting the Klementinum Library ,one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, and the Estates Theatre, where Mozart once performed.

The best part of exploring the Old Town is just soaking up the atmosphere and discovering things that aren’t suggested to you by anyone – so I won’t tell you exactly where to go. Just keep your eyes open for things that interest you.

14. Have a Medieval Themed Meal

I know this seems like a tourist trap (and it might even be), but I actually really enjoyed this experience. The promise is ‘an authentic Bohemian dinner’ – though I can’t comment on the authenticity, I CAN say that it’s a fun night of performances, food, and lots of wine or beer.

We booked this experience on GetYourGuide, at 64€ per person. It’s a 3-course menu with different options for the main course, and it includes unlimited drinks (wine/beer/soda/water).

But the highlight is definitely the entertainment – the whole dinner is based around a show of musicians, belly dancers, a sword swallower, and more.

The experience is hosted by a tavern near the Old Town Square. Though most people have meat, poultry, or fish, there are vegetarian, vegan, and even gluten-free options available.

15. Take a Day Trip to Český Krumlov

If you want to get out of the city a bit, consider planning a day trip to Český Krumlov. The small town is like something out of a fairytale, with the Vltava River running right through the heart of it.

It’s the perfect place to experience authentic Czech culture, away from the tourist traps and high prices you may find in Prague.

The journey to Český Krumlov takes around 2.5 hours, so I’d highly recommend spending the night here.

For a detailed guide for planning a day trip from Prague to Český Krumlov, including tips for how to get there, what to do, and where to stay and eat, check out my post here.